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]]>0Chris Doellehttp://lonestargridiron.com/?p=553612015-08-02T15:31:10Z2015-08-01T12:13:28ZYes, it is that time of year again - when we break down everything you need to know about the district races around the state. Each time we have a new district preview available, it will appear here as a link. Team Previews are below!

If your team is not listed here and would like to see them previewed, have your coach contact us to fill out the Team Preview form.

]]>0Chris Doellehttp://lonestargridiron.com/?p=569292015-08-01T02:07:38Z2015-08-01T02:07:38ZIn Division II, we went with La Grange ahead of Gilmer mainly because RB JK Dobbins is an absolute beast. A lot of folks have Celina ranked higher but even coming at #7 they look very solid this year.

We have long said that 4A is the "sweet spot" of big enough schools/cities to have deep talent pools and small enough that the football team is often the most important thing in town - that means great community support. We are really looking forward to this season!

]]>0Michael Wrighthttp://lonestargridiron.com/?p=569162015-08-01T02:07:12Z2015-08-01T02:07:12ZLooks like Navasota is back in the cat-bird seat for another season. The big shocker in Division I is that we have Graham ranked ahead of Argyle. We predict a big move up for Liberty Hill and a return to the top for Carthage. Overall, there seems to be quite a few teams that haven't been up this high in a few seasons so expect lots of fun fireworks come playoff time.

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Photo: yourstephenvilletx.comGreg Winder was chosen as Head Coach in March.

After reviewing about 40 applications in March, the Stephenville Yellow Jackets chose on of its own - Offensive Coordinator Greg Winder, as their new head coach.

Winder, who served as the Yellow Jackets’ offensive coordinator for the past eight years, replaced Joe Gillespie, who left after seven years to be a linebackers Coach at Tulsa University.

Though many applied, Winder proved to be the clear choice, as he has spent the last eight years working with the players and students of Stephenville. The new head coach said his past experiences with the Yellow Jackets will help him, “communicate with the team,” and gives him the advantage of, “knowing their strengths and weaknesses.”

As the season approaches so will Winder’s greatest challenge: continuing Stephenville’s winning tradition.

The Yellow Jackets have had 26 consecutive winning seasons, 11 consecutive 8+ win seasons and have made playoff appearances every year since 1989. The team has also made Bi-District appearances since 2008, where Winder guided them as offensive coordinator.

Though Winder has been a huge part of Stephenville’s winning history, he faces many challenges. Getting young players to “step in” is a challenge that stands out, Winder said. However, he remains optimistic about the team’s future.

Josh Gillespie Stephenville

The head coach said he is looking forward to, “leading the kids into battle,” and plans to prepare them for that battle through drills and techniques in camp.

Winder hopes that, through what the players learn in camp, the team will finish the season with a district championship, by following Winder’s motto: “Play fast and finish strong.”

Semifinals:

Semifinals:

Championship:

Championship:

On paper, it looks like Katy and Cedar Hill will matchup for the fourth straight year in the title game and Katy will tie things up between the two.

Mike Says: Looks like the same group of teams going back to the championships this year with Allen, Katy and Cedar Hill expected to make it back. Converse Judson will be the only newcomer and they are no stranger to championship games having been in 11 of them all time. Those 11 games are good enough for 2nd place all-time for championship games played. In Division I, Euless Trinity will fall short to Allen just like last year (Allen won last year 30-27). Todd Dodge's Austin Westlake team will make a showing in the Quarterfinals. Old foes, Pearland and Galena Park North Shore play in Region III. Converse Judson returns in Region IV after getting knocked out in the Semifinals last year. In Division II, Southlake Carroll will try to get revenge against Cedar Hill after Cedar Hill won last years Quarterfinals game 62-42. In Region II, Spring Westfield is a front runner just ahead of Austin power Austin Lake Travis. Manvel will fall short against Katy again in the Quarterfinals. Cibolo Steele gets a repeat win over Northside Brandeis in Region IV. Interesting note about Brandeis...they are picked 2nd in the district behind Brennan. Brennan has to play Steele in the Area round of the playoffs and Brandeis does not play them until the Quarterfinals. This would look like Brandeis had the better season end though they come in 2nd in district play.

Chris Says: One of the problems with a composite ranking is that I often personally disagree with the final poll. There are quite a few things I see differently this season - the biggest is that Cedar Hill will make it to another title game. I don't see that happening. There is a good chance that Southlake Carroll or DeSoto could unseat the champs and then make it to that State Championship game against Katy. Yes, there is a good chance that DeSoto could go Division II this season! Also, Cibolo Steele will win their Region IV Championship over Northside Brennan, not Northside Brandeis. I am also leaning toward Austin Lake Travis over Spring Westfield this year. On the other side of the Class 6A Texas high school football playoffs, I agree with most everything there. I do think Dickinson will be the Region III champion, but that is as far as they will go. The championship game between Allen and Converse Judson makes for such a good story as the Judson brings decades of history to face the big new (relatively) power in Texas high school football.

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Yes, the Lone Star Gridiron Texas High School Football Quiz app will be live in the iTunes store before the weekend is up. As the leader in information about Texas high school football history, records, playoffs and more - we decided to share that information with you in a fun game. It's a great distraction while waiting for "the greatest sport in the greatest state!" ™ to kick off!

COMING SOON!

Here is what you can expect:

Trivia questions about Texas high school football players, championship, coaches, stadiums, records and more!

New question packs about covering individual schools, coaches, and more!

You can submit questions for future question packs!

Your score is calculated by how fast you correctly answer questions

Incorrect answers will not be counted against you and that question will go back into your rotation until you get it right

The scoreboard leaders will be awarded prizes like free Premium memberships, tshirts, caps, and more!

Scoreboard will be updated here and in the iTunes Game Center

We will figure out who knows the most about Texas high school football!!